How To Build A Raised Garden Bed: A DIY Step-By-Step Guide

How to Build a Raised Garden Bed

Now that you understand the benefits offered by using a raised garden bed, the next step is to build one. This article provides a complete DIY (do it yourself) guide; we’ll show you exactly how to build a raised garden bed!

You can go about the process numerous ways. However, there is one thing that must be done properly in order to ensure the bed is going to perform properly for you.

Choosing The Best Spot For Your Garden Bed

One of the most important things you need to decide on before even reaching for a hammer or a saw is the location of yor raisded garden bed. The location matters because it gives the user the ability to control the overall results of using the garden bed. Here are some tips for choosing a location.

Ensure it gets at least eight hours of sunlight per day. If you decide to have plants that require more sunlight than this, ensure you provide a location that gives it.

Avoid placing the raised garden bed too close to the home. You do not want drainage problems near the foundation of your home throughout this process.

Choose a position on the top of a the highest point of land if possible. You want to ensure that excess water can easily drain from under the bed and away from it. This reduces the risk of dealing with pooling water.

Choose a location that is flat or close to it. That will save you some digging and help you to have an even place to start overall. Remember, building on a hill works, but build with that hill on an even surface.

The right location really will make for the best raised garden beds. Take your time in choosing the most ideal place for your bed!

Building A 3 by 6 Raised Garden Bed: A Do It Yourself Guide

Supplies You’ll Need:

Click image for TONS of landscaping ideas!

Lumber of your choice (consider options above) Start with 2 by 6’s for the best results.

A saw to cut lumber to size

Use 3.5 inch #10 coated deck screws to hold the wood into place. You will need a total 24 in total.

A level

A mallet or hammer

A screwdriver or drill

Square

Note: You will need more wood if you decide to add cross support beams to the garden bed. If you are using at least 2 by 4 lumber, though, in a 3 by 6 framing, it is unlikely you will need to add this to your structure.

With this information selected, you can begin the process of building a raised garden bed. It pays to take the time to choose the right size right now.

The average 3 by 6 foot bed is going to be large enough, generally, to support sprawling tomatoes. However, it is narrow enough that you won’t have a problem reaching into the middle from any of the sides.

As for height, try to build your bed at least one to two feet tall, depending on how much soil you plan to add.

Also, consider building more than one bed rather than just one large bed. By building several smaller beds, you will have no problem rotating crops to ensure the soil’s nutrients are not depleted. At the same time, you will have no problem with bowing of the sides or getting into the middle of it.

Plus, this also reduces the amount of soil you’ll need overall.

The following steps will help you to build a 3 by 6 raised garden. Make adjustments based on the specific needs you have for size.

Step 1: Find and level the area to ensure you can build a level support system here. If you do not level the ground to start, the actual structure will be uneven, which could cause the entire thing to collapse when you add soil.

Step 2: Remove any weeds or turf from the location. You want completely to remove any foreign material from the site, including grass. This means removing at least an inch of dirt across the top to remove grass, in most cases. Be sure it is level when complete.

Step 3: Outline the dimensions and layout of the raised garden bed with string or a chalk line. You will want to bury about half of the first layer of lumber into the soil just enough. This allows for proper drainage but stability.

Step 4: For added protection, you may want to lay a layer of landscape fabric down at this point. By doing this it will ensure that any grass or other remnants that develop in the soil at this point do not have the ability to grow. Ensure this material extends from the outer edge of the location you plan to build the wooden frame for total protection.

Step 5: Cut and put together the initial framing. Cut each piece of wood to the proper size, either three feet or six feet depending on the side it will be used on. You need to put two screws into each of the corners to hold them into place. Ensure that each corner is properly squared off before moving forward with the process. Complete the process to complete the initial frame.

Step 6: Place corner posts into place for stability. To add stability to the entire design, you’ll want to install corner posts. Cut these posts to be just as long as necessary to fit into the corners of the frame. Place the post into the corner as tightly as possible and then pound it into place. You’ll want it to enter into the dirt at least three to four inches. Then, screw the post into the sides of the frame for added support.

Step 7: Repeat to form another layer around the top. Cut the same length boards and place on top of the existing boards to form a second layer to add height. Be sure to screw together and connect to the corner posts. This should create a nice, tight box shape.

Step 8: Fill in and trim. The next step is to fill in the garden box with soil. Choose an organic, healthy mixture right for the type of plants you plan to put into it. This will create the ideal bed for growing. Trim off the top of the corner posts as necessary to create an even surface.

Step 9: Add a top cap railing for support and comfort. Finally, to finish off the raised garden bed build, add a cap to the top of the railing.

To do this, miter lumber at 45 degrees. This will create the cap railing to fit on top. This addition gives you a place to sit while working in the bed, but it also gives you a way to get discourage insects and to keep plants protected when the weather cools.